Ember/moisture deflector

ABSTRACT

The invention herein is a deflector for deflecting embers or moisture from the eave vents of a structure. The deflector consists of a frame sized to substantially cover at least one vent in an eave wherein the frame contains at least one door which is slideable along two opposing horizontal grooves separated by vertical braces. When the door is disposed in one extreme, the at least one vent is exposed, and when the door is disposed the opposite extreme, the at least one vent is covered. the at least one door may also include a tab for manipulating the door to one extreme or the opposite extreme.

This application is based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/199,389filed on Nov. 17, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embers can be carried away from a wildfire or structure fire by thewind, so they pose a threat to nearby property. An ember attack is anaturally occurring event. During a wildfire, burning material becomesairborne. It can be carried along with a fire or driven ahead of a fireby prevailing winds. An ember attack occurs when embers are carried bywinds in a cluster. Airborne embers from a fire are the primary cause ofspot fires, which contribute to the continued spread of a fire. Emberattacks occur close to the source of the fire, usually following a heatexplosion within vegetation in which material is ejected from theexplosion and creates a cluster of embers. It also occurs during highwinds in which burnt material is carried away from flames before it canbe fully burned. Embers ignite combustible materials outside thebuilding. A danger also exists of embers entering the building, inparticular through the eave vents. Most building codes specify eavevents for crawl spaces or attics to prevent a buildup of moisture andtemperature, which can lead to mold growth and decay. Eave vents offerembers and flames an easy entry point. It is well known that embers slipthrough eave vents and ignite insulation, construction material or itemsstored there and ignite the building from within. Building codes requirethat eave vents be covered with a metal screen on the inside, but that'sinadequate to keep flames and embers away from the inside of yourbuilding. Smaller mesh screens might do a slightly better job ofdelaying entry of embers and fire, but they would plug up more easily.

Concomitantly, moisture may enter through the eave vents during storms,which may accumulate in the attic of a building. If enough moistureaccumulates, the moisture may seep into the ceilings and walls of thebuilding, thereby causing drywall deterioration, mold and otherstructural problems.

The invention described herein solves these problems by providing aneasy-to-install deflector that inhibits such embers/moisture fromentering a building through the eave vents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is an “ember/moisture deflector.” Thedeflector is a barrier assembly that may be fitted over the existingeave vents of a structure to block embers and/or moisture from enteringattic of a building. The deflector is normally in an open position, butmay be placed in a blocking position in case of a potential fire dangeror water damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal prospective view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an end-piece of the invention ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a frontal prospective view of a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 if a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 mounted on an eave ofa structure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 showing control means.

FIG. 7 is a frontal prospective view of a third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a from view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 mounted on an eave ofa structure.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 mounted on an eave ofa structure and showing manual controlling means for the slideable doorsof the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 mounted on an eaveof a structure and showing electrical controlling means for theslideable doors of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ember/moisture deflector is a barrier system used to prevent theentry of embers, radiant heat or moisture into a structure. Referring toFIG. 1, deflector 1 consists of a metal frame comprised of an horizontallower rail 7, and a horizontal upper rail 9 spaced apart by threevertical braces 4 at each end of the horizontal rails and at theirmidpoint. The horizontal lower rail 7 and horizontal upper rail 9 areeach composed of two horizontal strips separated by a horizontalseparator, horizontal lower rail 7 consisting of strips 14 and 15,separated by separator 16, and horizontal upper rail 9 consisting ofstrips 12 and 13 separated by separator 11. FIG. 2 is a sectional viewshowing horizontal strips 12 and 13, separator 11, defining groove 10.Each horizontal strip is of 24 gauge stainless steel of about 20 incheslong and about 0.75 inches wide. Separators 11 and 16 are 18 gaugestainless steel of about 20 inches long and about 0.5 inches wide. Eachvertical brace 4 is constructed of 24 gauge stainless steel, about 2.5inches high and about 0.5 inches wide. When assembled, the edges of thehorizontal metal strips and the separator are aligned such that one edgeis justified, so that a 0.25 deep groove is created traversing thelength of lower rail 7 and upper rail 9. Each pair of horizontal railsis spot welded at selected spots along the strips. The pair ofhorizontal rails 7 and 9 are placed in parallel and in opposingrelationship such that the grooves 10 face each other. Horizontal rails7 and 9 are permanently affixed by vertical braces 4, spot welded at thedistal ends and midpoint of horizontal rails 7 and 9 and aligned suchthat the distance between the pairs of horizontal rails is about 2inches, resulting in a pair of opposing grooves running parallel thelength of horizontal rails 7 and 9.

The grooves 10 are for receiving a pair of slideable doors 2 and 6, eachof 24 gauge stainless steel, 5.5 inches long and 2.375 inches wide. Eachdoor 2 and 6, has opposing L-shaped tabs 3 and 5 spot welded to doors 2and 6 respectively. Each tab is constructed of 22 gauge aluminum, 2.5inches long and 1 inch wide, with a 90° bend at 1 inch base along itslength. Each tab 3 and 5 is spot welded to door 2 and 5, respectively,so that the 1 inch base lies flush with doors 2 and 5, and having the1.5 inch remaining tab perpendicular to doors 2 and 6. Tabs 3 and 5 arepositioned such that when doors 2 and 6 are in the closed position, tabs3 and 5 abut middle brace 4.

Thus, when mounted over the eave vents, deflector 1 is aligned so thatthe eave vents are in the axial center of deflector 1. Deflector 1 sizedso that when doors 2 and 6 are in the open position, the eave vents areexposed, and when the doors are closed, the eave vents are covered, asshown in FIG. 5 wherein eave vents 17 are depicted. The doors areslideably disposed within the groove so as to easily slide along thegroove without being so loose as to allow embers or heat to pass aroundthem. The length of the rail is determined by the space between the eaveboards. The height of the assembly is determined by the height of thefaçade of the eave board. The distance between the rails is determinedby the diameter of the eave vent holes. The rails have mounting holesdrilled adjacent the corners of deflector 1 to allow the assembly to befastened to the eave board containing the eave holes using screws 19.The width of each groove 10 is determined by the thickness of thematerial for the doors. There should be a minimal amount of clearancebetween the width of the groove and the thickness of the door sufficientto enable the doors to be slideable. The height of the door isdetermined by the eave hole diameter plus, the additional depth of eachof the two grooves. There should be a minimal amount of clearancebetween the height of the door and the groove to prevent the doors fromfalling out or embers and heat from passing by them and into thestructure beyond. The doors each have a tab protruding out from theirsurface. These push tabs allow the doors to be moved opened and closed.The tabs also act as a stop when they hit the strap in the center of theassembly.

FIGS. 3 and 4 disclose a second embodiment of the invention where thedeflector 1 constructed by alternative means where a single sheet of 24gauge stainless steel is used to form frame 20. Apertures 21 are createdby stamping out rectangular sections from a single piece of stainlesssteel, leaving a horizontal lower rail 27 and horizontal upper rail 29with vertical supports 24 spaced and the ends and middle of deflector 1.The stainless steel sheet is then rolled along its upper and lower edgesto form grooves 30 for receipt of doors 22 and 26, which are alsoslideable along grooves 30. Each door 22 and 26, has opposing L-shapedtabs 23 and 25 spot welded to doors 22 and 26 respectively. Dimples 44are formed adjacent the left and right edges of the middle brace 24,with corresponding dimples 31 formed adjacent the right side of door 22and the left side of door 26 such that when the doors are in the closedposition with the eaves of the structure close, the correspondingdimples 31 and 44 interlock to hold the doors in position.

Adjacent the upper corners of deflector 1 are drilled holes for thereceipt of mounting screws 19. Adjacent the lower corners of thedeflector, slots 8 are punched out for receipt of mounting screws 19 sothat the deflector may be adjustably mounted to the to eaves of thestructure.

FIG. 4 discloses an end view of the deflector of FIG. 3, where therolled edges of the stainless steel can be seen forming upper and lowergrooves 30, as well as vertical brace 24, slideable door 26 and tab 25.Also shown is hole 36, drilled through tab 25 so that hardware may beattached to for manually or electrically opening and closing the doorsof the deflector.

FIG. 5 discloses deflector 1 mounted on an eave of a structure withdoors 22 and 26 in an open position exposing eave vents 39. In thisexample, middle brace 24 is centered over the middle eave vent 39, anddeflector 1 is sized to cover the adjacent vents 30 such that when thedoors are closed, all three vents 30 are covered. Lower rail 27 is shownto have notches 38 formed to permit moisture to flow out of lower rail27. FIG. 6 is a side view of deflector 1 with apparatus 40 and 42mounted to tabs 23 and 25 to enable doors 22 and 26 to be manipulateremotely. Stainless steel strips 40 and 42 are affixed to tab 23 (notshown) and tab 25 by means of screw 46, washer 47, and nut 48. Strips 40and 42 are each rectangular is shape, having J-shaped hooks 41 and 43formed at their lower, outside edges. FIG. 5 shows traveling cable 50affixed to strips 40 and 42 by means of ferrules 51. Traveling cable 50may be operated either mechanically or electrically to open or close thedoors of the deflector. The traveling cables are operated similarly tothe operations of a venetian blinds through the use of cables andpulleys. Such art is old and well known to one of ordinary skill in theart and not shown herein. Cable 50 is zinc-plated for fire-resistance.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the invention wherein doors 22and 26 each have an orifice 47 formed along the longitudinal axis ofeach door. The placement of orifice 47 determined by the lateral spacebetween the first and third eave vent 39. Also shown on FIGS. 7 and 8are tabs formed at the opposing ends of doors 22 and 26. In addition toproviding for mounting strips 40 and 42 to the doors, in thisembodiment, tabs 23 and 25 also are detents that stop doors 22 and 26from sliding past end braces 24. It should be noted that the geometricshape of orifice 47 is not a limitation of the invention. The orificemay be of any geometric shape.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 5 wherein travelingcable 50 passes laterally around pulleys 60 and vertically down andaround pulley 61. Pulleys 60 are both mounted to gables 64 by means ofbrackets 65. As shown in FIG. 9, doors 22 and 26 may be operated byeither pulling on traveling cable 50, or by turning pulley handle 62. Asshown in FIG. 10, doors 22 and 26 may be operated by actuating solenoidis 81, which causes pulleys 60 to rotate. Solenoid 81 is also mounted tothe eave, adjacent gable 84. Solenoid 81 may be remotely controlled.

Although deflector 1 has been described as constructed out of stainlesssteel, the material of construction is not a limitation of theinvention. The deflector may be constructed of any fire proof material,such as temperature resistant plastic or carbon fiber, that permits theease of sliding door s 2 and 6 into the closed position. While thepresent invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thesedisclosed embodiments. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 show tabs 23 and 25 tobe perpendicular to the plane of doors 22 and 26. However, doors 22 and26 could be formed in a L-shape, with the shorter arm of the L facingdown. Tabs 23 and 25 would then be planar and integral to doors 22 and26.

Notches 38 would then be elongated and extended along the bottom oflower rail 27 for receipt on tabs 23 and 25. The elongated notches wouldbe sized to permit tabs 23 and 25 to slide along groove 30 when thedoors 22 and 26 are opened and closed. This construction would enablethe reduction of manufacturing costs. Screws 19 would then provide thedetents for restraining the travel of doors 22 and 26. This inventionmay be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosurewill be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications andother embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled inthe art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to beand are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.

1. A deflector for deflecting embers or moisture from the eave vents ofa structure, the deflector comprising: a. a frame sized to substantiallycover at least one vent in an eave, the frame containing at least onedoor, and b. the door slideably disposed in the frame such that when theat least one door is disposed in one extreme, the at least one vent isexposed, and when the door is disposed the opposite extreme, the atleast one vent is covered.
 2. The deflector of claim 1 wherein the frameis comprised of two parallel horizontal rails separated by at least twoparallel vertical braces formed at the distal ends of the horizontalrails, the rails having opposing grooves for slideably receiving the atleast one door.
 3. The deflector of claim 1 wherein the at least onedoor includes an aperture spaced such that when the door is disposed inone extreme, the aperture exposes the at least one vent.
 4. Thedeflector of claim 1 wherein the at least one door includes a tab formanipulating the door to one extreme or the opposite extreme.
 5. Thedeflector of claim 4 wherein the tab is formed to receive bias means fordisposing the door in one extreme or the opposite extreme.
 6. Thedeflector of claim 5 wherein the bias means is electrical.
 7. Thedeflector of claim 5 wherein the bias means is mechanical.
 8. Adeflector for deflecting embers or moisture from the eave vents of astructure, the deflector comprising: a. a frame sized to substantiallycover at least one vent in an eave, the frame containing at least onedoor, and b. the door slideably disposed in the frame such that when theat least one door is disposed in one extreme, the at least one vent isexposed, and when the door is disposed the opposite extreme, the atleast one vent is covered.
 9. The deflector of claim 8 wherein the frameis comprised of two opposing horizontal grooves separated by verticalbraces, the grooves for slideably receiving the at least one door. 10.The deflector of claim 8 wherein the at least one door includes anaperture spaced such that when the door is disposed in one extreme, theaperture exposes the at least one vent.
 11. The deflector of claim 8wherein the at least one door includes a tab for manipulating the doorto one extreme or the opposite extreme.
 12. The deflector of claim 11wherein the tab is formed to receive bias means for disposing the doorin one extreme or the opposite extreme.
 13. The deflector of claim 12wherein the bias means is electrical.
 14. The deflector of claim 12wherein the bias means is mechanical.
 15. A deflector for deflectingembers or moisture from the eave vents of a structure, the deflectorcomprising: a. a frame sized to substantially cover at least one vent inan eave, the frame containing at least one door, the frame comprisingtwo opposing horizontal grooves separated by vertical braces, thegrooves for slideably receiving the at least one door and b. the doorslideably disposed in the frame such that when the at least one door isdisposed in one extreme, the at least one vent is exposed, and when thedoor is disposed the opposite extreme, the at least one vent is covered,the at least one door including a tab for manipulating the door to oneextreme or the opposite extreme.
 16. The deflector of claim 8 whereinthe at least one door includes an aperture spaced such that when thedoor is disposed in one extreme, the aperture exposes the at least onevent.
 17. The deflector of claim 15 wherein the tab is formed to receivebias means for disposing the door in one extreme or the oppositeextreme.
 18. The deflector of claim 17 wherein the bias means iselectrical.
 19. The deflector of claim 17 wherein the bias means ismechanical.